MeritMade Stones - Sonora Sunset

One of my favorite things about working with MeritMade is seeing the stones find their people and the people find their stones. As Kelly makes her fingers off for the Art Westport Fair, I am drooling over her stone choices. When she posted a collection of earrings on Instagram, and asked which one was our favorite, I without a doubt, picked the pair with the awesome red and green stones.

I mean, what's not to love?! Sterling silver and Sonora Sunrise earrings

I mean, what's not to love?! Sterling silver and Sonora Sunrise earrings

Meet Sonora Sunset or Sonora Sunrise, named for the amazing and colorful sunsets over the Sonora Desert in Mexico, where the stone is mined. A fairly new stone to the gem world; they were discovered in 2006 while mining for copper. The Sonora Sunset is made up of three different stones; the blue/green comes from Chrysocolla, the red from Cuprite and the back is Tenorite. These three mix together to make a visually stunning stone, with some pretty powerful healing properties!

The rest of the Sonora Sunrise stones that will be used in the Art Westport collection

The rest of the Sonora Sunrise stones that will be used in the Art Westport collection

Known as the stone of empowerment and freedom, Sonora Sunset draws from all three of the stones it is comprised of:

Chrysocolla is associated with serenity, tranquility, peace, patience, tolerance, acceptance, unconditional love, meditation, calmness, hope gentleness and sensitivity.

Curptie is helpful for reducing worries about things one has no control over, awareness, teaching, and delivering spiritual messages.

Tenorite is said to promote Earth healing, encourages adaptability and versatility in our nature and eases fears and insecurities.

This stone is said to bring new hope and freedom to lead your future life, help you get un-stuck in your daily routine and provide the passion to make the most of each experience. Sonora Sunset is also credited with providing the courage to face your challenges and the creativity to help you overcome those challenges smoothly and easily. In addition, it is said to obliterate stress, fear and anxiety. Who doesn't need some help in that department?

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In the end, it is clear that this stone was trying to find ME! Well done, stone. Well freaking done! I can't wait to see who these beauties end up with!

 

xo, Terra

MeritMade Stones - Hematite

Hematite is one of 2 stones we used in the upcoming Valentine's Mini Collection. Also spelled as Haematite, it is the mineral form of iron oxide (iron and oxygen) and is mined as the main source of iron. When it is turned to a powder, Hematite is a rusty red color. Through out history this red powder has been used on pottery, cave walls, and to pigment oil paints. Not strictly limited to planet earth, this amazing mineral also resides on MARS and is what gives Mars it's red color.

Martian Rocks: In 2004, NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity discovered that soil near its landing site contained millions of tiny spheres that researchers nicknamed "blueberries." Upon analysis they were determined to be composed of iron …

Martian Rocks: In 2004, NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity discovered that soil near its landing site contained millions of tiny spheres that researchers nicknamed "blueberries." Upon analysis they were determined to be composed of iron oxide, mostly in the form of hematite. Image by NASA.

Metaphysically speaking Hematite is a powerhouse. It is ENERGIZING, EMPOWERING, and GROUNDING.

It is used to bring mental organization and can help with original thinking, logical thinking, and mathematics. Basically any type of thinking which requires significant mental clarity, can benefit from the wearing of hematite.

Emotionally, hematite decreases negativity. Lowering negativity, helps balance the body/mind/spirit connection. It also is said to balance the meridians, boost self-esteem, and self-confidence.

Want some of this awesome material too? Click on over to the shop to pick out a piece. 

MeritMade Stones - Picture Jasper

Stones whether polished, faceted, or in the rough, are an important part of MeritMade jewelry. Each stone has a unique and inspiring story. Sometimes the story is a stone's metaphysical properties, other times it is the lapidary artist, the material, or perhaps where it was mined. At MeritMade we truly believe in the power of these stories, and It is important for us to share these with you. 

These pieces, in the recently created Desert Collection, are made from Rocky Butte Picture Jasper. It is found near the Owyhee River in Eastern Oregon. 

More broadly speaking picture jasper is a form of Brown Jasper. It can easily be identified by the patterns in the stone that often look like landscape paintings. The pictures and patterns, which are basically petrified mud, are made from flow or deposits by water and/or wind. 

While picture jasper can be found all over the world, specific colors or patterns are unique based upon the geographic region from which they originate. Oregon's Owyhee jasper is known as a particularly fine example, and Rocky Butte is one of the most prized and recognizable picture jaspers from the Owyhee area.

Metaphysically speaking it is easy to see why it is considered a grounding and harmonizing stone with a strong connection to the earth. It is said to promote feelings of responsibility towards the planet, encouraging a need to care for and protect it. This earth-centric grounding energy can give you a strong sense of who you are, where you’ve been and where you are going. It is said to encourage creative visualization, creativity, and business pursuits. 

If you are interested in purchasing a piece from the desert collection click on over to the shop. If you would like to commission a piece made from picture jasper you can contact us here to begin the process. 

xo, Kelly